Trump’s US Inauguration – What Next for Making America Great Again?

Trump’s US Inauguration – What Next and Will Trump Make America Great Again? America First is that a bit like America Works on House of Cards right or wrong?

Our very own Emilie Reeks in Research and Development at Atlantic Speaker Bureau and doing a PhD in Sociology reflects on the Speech and aftermath, we love her first Article and welcome your thoughts too...

On Inauguration day the world was watching in anticipation, wondering how a nation that has become so divided could come together; with numbers of spectators seemingly low, the rest of the world waits with baited breath to see what happens next.

Donald Trump has made and changed the course of history as the first elected President with no political or government experience, coming instead from a business background working in real estate. This vast change from previous President’s careers may be what America needs and is certainly a point in which Trump bases a great deal of his tactics on.

Much of Trump’s first speech as President emphasised the need for giving the people of America the chance to be rulers of their own nation, shifting the power balance from “the establishment” back to American citizens; the nation exists to serve the population, not the other way round. This is reminiscent of Marxist thought of citizens holding some control over decisions made rather than the establishment, who reap the rewards of citizen’s hard work and are out to protect their own interests, not the peoples.

In almost the same breath, Trump appears to return to right-wing rhetoric with the mention of immigration: “we must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our job.” Trump has promised to keep jobs in the United States, despite that in his own business ventures his own products were manufactured in at least 12 other countries. Trump also ignores the question: if products are to be manufactured in America, does this mean the price of these products will rise due to the high cost of manufacturing of certain items in America, compared to what it would be in third world countries or in places like Taiwan and China? This could lead to bridges being burnt between countries for trade, a surely bad move in an increasingly globalised world?

Immigration is mentioned three times throughout Trump’s short speech, perhaps stressing the significance of this issue on not only America but as a western problem, as seen in the UK’s EU Referendum and Brexit campaign. This idea that immigration is a huge issue for the economy has led to a rise in marginalisation of these minority groups, particularly with Muslim communities being linked to “radical Islam” as a source of scapegoating and blaming of ‘the other’ to build a political power. It has also led to populist movements across Europe such as the right-wing AfD (Alternative for Germany) and Le Pen’s (Front National) in France being emboldened by Trump’s victory and ideologies.

These ideologies are in direct contrast to the national ethos of the America Dream, as mentioned in Obama’s closing speech as the idea that “all men are created equal” in a land of opportunity where "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each” regardless of class, gender or circumstances at birth. Instead, an almost egoistic society is being promoted where America should look out for its own interests, regardless of the impact on others, such as concentrating on spending the trillions of dollars spent overseas on American infrastructure instead, putting “America First.”

Perhaps because we as human beings are fearful of change, these new ideas put us on edge with feelings of trepidation that something bad is about to occur, however maybe it is time that we embrace the change and open our arms to a new kind of world; one that is diverse and ever-changing where new responses are needed to new challenges faced by America. I, for one, will be watching and waiting along with the rest of the world to see whether Trump really can make America great again.